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The Ottawa RedBlacks, who locked up their first head coach last week, are about to add to more key pieces to the puzzle.

With a few more "i's" to be dotted and some "t's" to be crossed, the RedBlacks should soon have agreements in place with Montreal Alouettes linebackers coach Mark Nelson as their defensive co-ordinator and Calgary Stampeders offensive line coach Mike Gibson as their offensive co-ordinator.

"Nothing's finalized. It gets a little sensitive when other teams are involved," said Desjardins.

Nelson, 57, joined the Alouettes last season after a stint as the Edmonton Eskimos' defensive co-ordinator and linebackers coach in 2012. The Eskies led the league in interceptions with 28.

He spent the 2009 season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Prior to that, Nelson spent 12 years with a number of NCAA teams. He also played in the CFL for six years -- from 1980-86.

Gibson has coached in the CFL for 10 seasons -- the past two as Calgary's offensive line coach. Prior to joining the Stampeders, Gibson spent two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as offensive coordinator. Gibson spent two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as assistant head coach and offensive line coach and three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers -- two of those was offensive co-ordinator. He also has plenty of NCAA experience.

There are some obvious immediate benefits to hiring coaches from opposing rosters. Their knowledge will be a benefit to the RedBlacks when they choose unprotected players from the other eight teams in the expansion draft.

Next up: Ottawa RedBlacks assistants

The Ottawa RedBlacks, who locked up their first head coach last week, are about to add to more key pieces to the puzzle.

With a few more "i's" to be dotted and some "t's" to be crossed, the RedBlacks should soon have agreements in place with Montreal Alouettes linebackers coach Mark Nelson as their defensive co-ordinator and Calgary Stampeders offensive line coach Mike Gibson as their offensive co-ordinator.